Cabinet reshuffle latest: Grant Shapps appointment 'ruffles feathers' - as successor for his old job confirmed

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Rishi Sunak is reshuffling his top team, with Grant Shapps succeeding Ben Wallace as defence secretary and Claire Coutinho entering cabinet as energy secretary.

The decision to appoint Grant Shapps points to a prime minister who is"prioritising appearances" over defence, Haynes notes that in his resignation letter Ben Wallace spoke of leaving defence in a better place" and while that was"undeniably true" the reality was that"defence was in a terrible state back in 2019".

"I think defence right now is in a really vulnerable state and the fact that the prime minister has decided to put somebody in that job who is going to communicate really well, spin the positives really well, maybe points to a prime minister who isn't prioritising defence in terms of what's best for defence and prioritising instead what's best for appearances."Ben Wallace was a"rock solid figure" for the country, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said.

Mr Wallace was by far the most popular cabinet minister with a popularity rating of +76 compared to just +3 for his replacement, according to ConservativeHome's monthly rankings. And the undeniable tensions between the MoD and the Treasury under Mr Wallace will have likely played a part in the prime minister's decision to replace Wallace with someone less likely to kick up a fuss over defence spending.

But with a loyalist unlikely to cause great difficulties for the Treasury ahead of the next general election, will defence figures see this as an ominous sign of what is to come? Elected in 2019 and having been a minister for less than 12 months, Ms Coutinho will be keen to prove her ability in a department so crucial to the future of the British economy.The new energy secretary, Claire Coutinho, has been snapped leaving Downing Street after being promoted to the cabinet by Rishi Sunak.

Grant Shapps has just arrived at the Ministry of Defence as he takes up his new role leading the UK's armed forces. Packing up and moving out: Staff carry boxes out of energy department as Grant Shapps moves to defence While his family leaned more towards music, Mr Shapps found his passion in politics, becoming national president of the Jewish youth organisation BBYO.

In September 2012, he was appointed co-chairman of the Conservative Party, and also held the position of minister without portfolio at the Cabinet Office.

 

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